South Mountain YMCA

Enrichment Classes

Spring 1 Session Begins March 1, 2025

Feb. 10-12

Family Memberships at Sussex County and West Essex YMCAs

Family and Individual Memberships at East Orange and South Mountain YMCAs

Open to All at New Milford YMCA Program Center

Feb. 14

Facility Members at Sussex County and West Essex YMCAs

Feb. 17

Open to Community

BEYOND THE BELL

Beyond the Bell is an after-school enrichment program coordinated by the South Mountain YMCA in partnership with the South Orange Maplewood School District. Beyond the Bell is designed to help all students stretch and grow by deepening and expanding after-school opportunities at the elementary level.

Students will be introduced to a wide variety of subjects and activities, taught by enthusiastic and experienced instructors in a comfortable and familiar environment. Some instructors are teachers and parents within the SOMA community and others come to us from the wider community.

Beyond the Bell will run at:

• Clinton

• Delia Bolden

• Marshall

• Seth Boyden

• South Mountain

• South Mountain Annex

• Tuscan

For more information, visit https://www.metroymcas.org/south-mountain-ymca/beyond-the-bell/

If you have questions, please contact Jonelle Delk at beyondthebell@metroymcas.org

YOUTH PERFORMING ARTS & ENRICHMENT CLASSES

The South Mountain YMCA, Maplewood New Jersey, youth performing arts classes and shows are created to encourage curiosity and creativity as well as to develop self-confidence and art appreciation in an inclusive, nurturing and supportive environment.

See a class but the date/time doesn’t work for you? Send us an email and let us know you are interested! gsprague@metroymcas.org

ADULT/CHILD CLASSES

Giggle & Groove (0 - 3 yrs)
Shake, rattle and roll to the beat with music that gets your toes tapping! Dress in comfortable clothing. Parents with infants in wearable baby carriers are welcome to join the fun. Adult chaperone participation required.

Music & Me (Walking - 3 yrs)
Explore melodies with instruments, stomp around on our Giant Piano Mat and soak up music vocabulary. We sing songs and play instruments in games and activities. Adult chaperone participation required.

DANCE ATTIRE

Our dress code is designed so teachers can see the dancer's body lines, including posture, arms, legs and feet. Dancers get the most out of their classes when they are dressed appropriately. Leotards are recommended for all classes. Long hair is to be worn in a tight ponytail or bun and secured away from the face. For the safety of all our dancers, no jewelry is worn in class. Leg warmers are optional. Form-fitting clothes required, no loose-fitting cargo pants or jeans.

YOUTH DANCE CLASSES

Bitty Ballerinas (2.5 - 3 yrs)
Young dancers develop the fundamentals of creative movement, explore free motion and grasp an understanding of dance language. Mini Recital performance is at the end of the year.

Ballet I (3 - 4 yrs)
Young dancers develop the fundamentals of creative movement, explore free motion and grasp an understanding of dance language. Mini Recital performance is at the end of the year.

Creative Movement (3 - 5 yrs)
Young dancers develop the fundamentals of creative movement, explore free motion and play games to help encourage artistic expression. Mini Recital performance is at the end of the year.

Ballet/Tap Combo (4 - 6 yrs)
Dancers move through steps at the barre, floor progressions and center. We introduce and incorporate terminology, musicality, rhythm, and creative movement. Dancers are kept on their toes exploring new vocabulary and establishing dance routines. Mini Recital performance is at the end of the year. This class is 30 minutes of Ballet followed by 30 minutes of Tap.

ENRICHMENT CLASSES

We design all our classes to expand children’s learning and curiosity. Our goal is to enrich physical and emotional needs while enhancing academics in a safe, fun and creative atmosphere. As a result, children foster new friendships, develop social skills and grow more inquisitive every day.

See a class but the date/time doesn’t work for you? Send us an email and let us know you are interested! gsprague@metroymcas.org

ADULT/CHILD CLASSES

Tiny Tumblers (walking - 3 yrs)
This intro to gymnastics helps to develop gross motor skills with rolling, balancing, swinging and crawling. Have fun stretching, playing parachute games, running obstacle courses, skill building, singing and more! Our structured class helps children transition into more independent gymnastics and sports classes. Adult chaperone participation required.

Messy Art (walking - 3 yrs)
Have fun with friends creating different projects each week to take home and display! Adult chaperone participation required.

Auxiliary Academics

Slimy Science (3 -5 yrs)

Prepare to get messy! This class will introduce children to scientific concepts while getting their hands dirty. Projects like oobleck and cloud dough and erupting a volcano are examples of fun experiments to expect in this class.